Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-03-04
The Other Side of the Question.
ED. Standard:

ED. STANDARD:
There is a point at which "fOrbear-
ance ceases to be a virtue" and that
point was reached when l read the ar
ticle entitled Some Reasons Why
from the pen Of that accomplished
lady, Miss May Sylvester, in reply to
Mr.. Aver. She, like all other advo-
Gates for female suffrage, persists in
the meaning Of those
opposed to it. l read Mr. Ayers arti-
Gle carefully, and he never once limited
that women were not possessed OF suf-
ticient intelligence to vote, and l have
yet to find IL man of intelligence who
ever made such an assertion. 1t is
not a question of intelligence, but Il
question Of policy. 1t don't require
much ability to enable one to vote, as
thousands Of men exercise the priv
lege, who can neither read nor write.
Like Mr.. Aver, think it should be
the duty of every man to protest
against the passage of any female suf-
frage law hereafter, and why? Be
cause there is nothing to be gained by
it. Women now have all the rights
under the law that are necessary to
their happiness and comfort. What
more do they want? All the avenues
of trade are open to them, and all the
trades and professions. They are re-
stricted in nothing that conduces to
their happiness, if they will only make
use of those functions with which the
God of Nature has provided them.
They are shown NOR respect and de-
ference by the opposite sex than men
show towards each other. In II crowd
ed house or car they must have seat
if every man has to stand. In case of
war, the husband, father and brother
must fight the battles, while they can
stand back out of danger and hiss
'em on" They reap all the benefit
without any of the labor.
The duties of governmental affairs
in the United States have devOlved
upon men from the foundation of the
government, and we boast of the best
government in the world. Why not
let well enough alone? 1t is not be-
cause we think less of women that We
oppose the right of female franchise
but the reverse q always did like the
dear creatures). We know that the
moment they begin to dabble in poll
tics the sacred duties of home will be
neglected. Modesty, virtue and moth
erly love will be supplanted by an am
bition for political honors and the re-
suit will be ruined homes and deserted
families. We believe that the moth
ers of Washington, Adams, Jefferson,
Madison, Franklin, Lincoln, Grant and
thousands and millions of other good
mothers who have lived and died with
out the right of suffrage are deserving
of as much credit as Lucretia Mott,
Elizabeth G. Stanton, Phebe Couzins
or Lille Devereux Blake, as quoted by
Miss s. We believe that the spheres
of the two sexes are widely different.
There is vast difference in organiza-
ton and functions. Nature is to blame
for that difference, not man. II nature
formed man of rougher material and
gave him stronger bone and muscle,
he should and does perform the most
arduous duties. Upon his shoulders
rests the greatest responsibilities.
Man was not destined for a mother or
to perform tie duties devolving upon
a mother. Children would fare rough
ly indeed without the tender care of a
mother, and mothers would find it a
rough world without the strong arm of
the husband to provide for their wants.
Is it necessary that women should
vote to qualify them for the duties of
wives and mothersp / think not.
Would they possess any more advan-
tages than they now have? Would
they receive any better treatment at
the hands of the opposite sex2 Is
there a man in ThurstOn county who
is willing to sacrifice his reputation as
a man of common sense by answering
these questions in the affirmative?
Show him to me. want to look at
him. want to tap him on the fore
head and listen for an echo. They
tell us that, by the decision of the Su-
preme Court, the Territory is made to
take step backward toward barbar-
ism; that our Territory is disgraced,
etc. Shoot such balderdash! Is it pos
sible that the citizens of all the United
States, except two or three petty Terri
tories, are barbarians? Is it possible
that out of Is Senators only seven are
models of civilization while the other
II are barbarians? Say, give us a rest
won't you? Don't you suppose the
murderer, Moll, would have murdered
his wife alice same if she had been al
lowed to vote? do. What great re-
formation is female suffrage going to
bring about anyhow? Will some one
please tell me. Will it prevent MUIR
der, arson, rape, suicide? Will it pro-
duce happiness in the home circle?
Will it make women more lady-like
and attractive? Will their children
love them any better for their mascu-
line attainments? Will il make better
fathers and mothers? If so, then by
all means let us have it. If not, let lis
stop our whining. 1t was an insult to
the pee pie of this Territory for the
Legislature to pass such law, as it
was previously voted on by the people
and defeated by large majority.